Refractive Eye Surgery

Refractive Eye Surgery is a group of surgical procedures designed to correct common vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Causes of Refractive Errors:

Refractive errors occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina. This can be due to:

• An unusually shaped cornea
• Changes in the lens (especially with age)
• Abnormal eye length (too long or too short)

Symptoms:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Eye strain
• Headaches
• Difficulty reading or seeing objects at certain distances
• Night vision problems

Types of Refractive Eye Surgery:

• LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis): A laser reshapes the cornea to correct vision.
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): Surface layer of the cornea is removed, then reshaped with a laser.
• SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): A minimally invasive procedure for myopia and astigmatism.
• LASEK: Similar to PRK, with preservation of the corneal epithelium.
• Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL): A lens is implanted inside the eye without removing the natural lens.
• Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE): The natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens, often used for presbyopia or severe hyperopia.

Benefits:

• Quick recovery time
• Permanent vision correction
• High patient satisfaction

Risks:

• Dry eyes
• Glare or halos
• Undercorrection or overcorrection
• Infection (rare)